Appliance Electricity Cost Calculator
Every electrical appliance has a rated wattage and a usage pattern. Multiply watts by hours of use to get watt-hours, then divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh). Multiply kWh by your electricity rate to get cost. This calculator lets you compute daily, monthly, and annual electricity costs for any appliance. Enter the wattage from the appliance nameplate, your daily usage hours, and your electricity rate from your utility bill.
Appliance electricity cost formula
Daily kWh = Watts x Hours/Day / 1,000
Daily Cost = Daily kWh x Rate ($/kWh)
Monthly Cost = Daily Cost x 30
Annual Cost = Daily kWh x Days/Year x Rate
This is the standard formula used by the EIA and EPA Energy Star to compute appliance energy costs. The EIA publishes the national average residential electricity price monthly in the Electric Power Monthly (Table 5.3). Actual costs depend on your specific rate schedule, including tiered rates and time-of-use pricing.
Typical appliance wattages (EIA reference)
- Central air conditioner: 2,000-5,000 W (varies with size and SEER)
- Electric water heater: 4,000-5,000 W
- Clothes dryer (electric): 5,000-6,000 W
- Refrigerator: 100-400 W (compressor cycles on/off; effective use ~100-200 Wh/day)
- LED TV (55 inch): 60-100 W
- Desktop computer + monitor: 150-300 W
- Laptop: 20-60 W
- LED light bulb: 8-15 W (replaces 60-100 W incandescent)
Appliance electricity cost: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the electricity cost of an appliance?
The formula is: Cost = Wattage x Hours Used x Electricity Rate / 1,000. Divide wattage by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts. Multiply by hours of use to get kilowatt-hours (kWh). Multiply kWh by your rate ($/kWh) to get cost. This is the standard method used by the EIA and EPA Energy Star for appliance cost estimation.
Where can I find the wattage of my appliance?
Appliance wattage is listed on the nameplate label (usually on the back or bottom) as watts (W) or amperes (A) and volts (V). If listed as amps and volts, multiply them to get watts: W = A x V. The EIA publishes typical wattage ranges for common household appliances.
What is the US average electricity rate?
The US average residential electricity rate in 2024 was approximately $0.16 per kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly). Rates vary significantly by state, from about $0.10/kWh in Louisiana to over $0.30/kWh in Hawaii and Connecticut. Check your utility bill for your exact rate.
What is the most energy-intensive appliance in a typical home?
According to EIA data, space heating and cooling account for the largest share of home energy use (about 51% combined). Among individual appliances, electric water heaters (4,000-5,000 W), clothes dryers (5,000-6,000 W), and ovens (2,000-5,000 W) have the highest wattage. Refrigerators and TVs run continuously but at lower wattage.
How much can Energy Star appliances save?
EPA Energy Star certified appliances use 10-50% less energy than standard models depending on the appliance category. Energy Star refrigerators use at least 15% less energy than federal minimum standards. Energy Star clothes washers use about 25% less energy and 45% less water. Over a 10-year appliance life, savings can exceed $500 per appliance.
Official sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: EIA FAQ: How much electricity do appliances use?.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly (residential electricity prices).
- EPA Energy Star: Energy Star Certified Products.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.